Download Bewley`s – A blend of heritage and innovation

Bewley’s – A blend of heritage and innovation
Bewley’s is one of the largest coffee roasters in Ireland and the UK and is the Irish market leader in the provision of
fresh coffee to the foodservice and retail sectors. The company tradition of sourcing the finest quality teas and coffees
dates back to 1835 when Samuel Bewley imported 2,099 chests of tea to Ireland, breaking the East India Company’s
monopoly on tea importation. The move into coffee followed soon after, and coffee importation, roasting and
distribution remain the hallmark of the company to this day. Originally a Quaker owned company, Bewley’s has
continued to focus on improving the lives of everyone along the coffee supply chain, all while achieving strong
business results.
Today Bewley’s employs more than 170 people in an 110,000 sq. ft. manufacturing base in North Dublin, where over
3,000 tonnes of coffee are processed annually.
Developing sustainability
Bewley’s has built a sustainability strategy across three core pillars and involves people from all functions within the
organisation. The three focus areas are:
1. Environmental Impact
2. Ethical Procurement
3. Community Involvement
Environmental Impact
In 2006, Bewley’s set targets to reduce its carbon footprint. It successfully achieved a 17% reduction in the first two
years through energy-saving measures around the roasting of coffee in what Managing Director Jim Corbett describes
as “simple housekeeping measures”, involving better energy management and technology.
Bewley’s received its ISO 140064-1 for reduced CO2 emissions in 2009, becoming the first certified carbon neutral
company in Ireland. Every year, Bewley’s purchases carbon offsets from certified carbon-reducing initiatives. In 2011,
its top sustainable credentials were recognised when it was named as one of the top eight carbon leaders in the
international Carbon Disclosure Project Report 2011.
Ethical Procurement
Climate change is threatening coffee crops in virtually every major coffee producing region of the world. Higher
temperatures, long droughts interspersed by intense rainfall, more resilient pests and plant diseases—all of which are
associated with climate change—have reduced coffee supplies dramatically in recent years. Bewley’s recognise the
need to support certification models like Fairtrade that provide an additional premium to small scale coffee farmers to
invest further in their communities or to combat the effects of climate change on their crop levels.
While Bewley’s are committed to Fairtrade, it also champions direct supply models connecting with small scale coffee
producers directly to agree sustainable pricing models that will guarantee long term quality coffee supply. This requires
travelling to meet these producers on their farms to grade their coffee and to assess the likelihood of continuous
investment in coffee farming practices. Visiting coffee farms also allows Bewley’s the opportunity to see first-hand the
effects that climate change is having on the local community. Since 2002, Bewley’s have successfully forged mutually
beneficial relationships with coffee producers in Nicaragua. Today, over 20% of Bewley’s Fairtrade coffee comes from
Central America and in 2012 Bewley’s Procurement Director, Paul O’ Toole was appointed the Honorary Consulate for
Nicaragua in Ireland in recognition of the long standing trading relationship Bewley’s have had with the country.
In addition to paying a premium price for high quality, certified coffee Bewley’s have made additional investments in the
social infrastructure, for example at the coffee co-operative; SOPPEXCCA in Nicaragua Bewley’s provided funds to
build a changing facility and a convenience shop for the local farming community.
Community Involvement
Closer to home, Bewley’s have been a proud supporter of Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning for the past 22 years, an
event that generates vital funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation. Bewley’s support the campaign by providing all of the
fresh ground coffee free of charge and those consuming it are asked to donate €2 in aid of their local hospice services.
Commenting on the event, Carol Geary Foodservices Marketing Manager for Bewley’s noted “the reaction to Ireland’s
Biggest Coffee Morning over the years has been fantastic, and it is now estimated that well over €30 million has been
raised in the 22-year period that Bewley’s has been involved. That’s 15 million cups of Bewley’s coffee.”
Bewley’s are committed to supporting the event into the future and have set targets against the initiative under its
Origin Green plan.
What does Origin Green mean for Bewley’s?
Bewley’s recognises that customers view Origin Green as a mark of quality and of sustainably produced Irish food –
something which is vital in an increasingly competitive market. On a practical level, Origin Green membership means
that the company has committed to a new sustainability plan for 2013 to 2017.
Under its Origin Green plan, Bewley’s will:

Increase certified coffee supply from 35% to 50% by 2017 (then progress to 100%)

Reduce energy consumption per tonne of produce processed

Increase community involvement, through corporate social reasonability measures

Continue delivering increased customer value by offering sustainable products

Meet consumer demands for transparency in relation to ethical and environmental credentials